Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
473. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the latest status of the CFRAM schemes relating to Drogheda, Dundalk and Blackrock, Carlingford and Greenore, Ardee, Baltray and Mornington; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40142/21]
View answerThrough the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, detailed engineering analysis, assessment and extensive public consultation was undertaken for 300 communities throughout Ireland, including 90 coastal areas, which in 2012 were identified as being most likely to be impacted by future coastal and fluvial flooding.
One key output of the CFRAM Programme were the Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMP’s) that contain proposed flood relief measures - informed by costs, benefits and environmental factors - to address the flood risk in each community and nationwide.
The evidence provided by the CFRAM Programme, launched in May 2018, supports the Government’s €1bn planned investment in flood relief through the National Development Plan 2018-2027 as part of Project Ireland 2040.
As part of this, Louth County Council, working with the Office of Public Works, has agreed to be the Lead Authority in the delivery of flood relief schemes at Dundalk / Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford / Greenore, Baltray and Ardee, all of which are in the first tranche of projects being progressed.
- The proposed flood relief scheme at Dundalk / Blackrock South includes the Ardee Flood Relief Scheme and will protect some 1,880 properties when completed.
- The proposed flood relief scheme at Drogheda and Baltray will protect some 450 properties when completed.
- The proposed flood relief scheme at Carlingford and Greenore will protect some 409 properties when completed.
The tender for Engineering Consultancy Services was awarded in 2020 to Binnies (formerly Black and Veatch) and Nicholas O ‘Dwyer (Joint Venture) for the Dundalk/Blackrock South and Ardee projects that are being progressed simultaneously.
The Engineering Consultancy Services tender brief for Drogheda and Baltray, was advertised in December 2020 and the outcome of the tender evaluation for this project is imminent.
The Engineering Consultancy Services tender brief for the Carlingford and Greenore scheme is currently being developed and is due to be published in the coming months.
Once consultants are appointed to progress each scheme, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the general public, will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of the proposals within the Scheme.
In 2012, the OPW completed €4.5m investment in a flood relief scheme in Mornington that is protecting some 160 properties. The CFRAM Programme has proposed that an extension to this existing scheme may be required to address some additional flood risk. As the scale of investment is small, estimated to be approximately €500,000 Meath County Council has agreed to lead on the development of a further scheme for this area. Funding for this is being provided by the OPW.
